Today is Remembrance Sunday. Whoosh Learning is taking time today to reflect, remember and honour all those that have served, currently serve and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to allow us to live on in the world we live today.
We are entering an era now where there are only a few survivors that would have lived through war time Britain. The 11th November, “Remembrance Day” is a hugely important day to show not only our respect and gratitude but also to help our youngsters begin to understand the significance of the Poppy symbol.
War is a very tricky issue to explain to young children. For young children start to explore this difficult subject around the theme of ‘remembering people’ and the symbol of the poppy. Today my niece saw my poppy and said she had a poppy too. She told me it helped us to remember people who weren’t here anymore and how special they were like our GG (Great Granny).
Sometimes… children can verbalise it so simply and perfectly.
Often for a lot of children, craft activities offer a way of starting conversations whilst you work together on a project. Below, we have made some suggestions of ways to support Remembrance day.
Watch a short Remembrance film
Click here to be taken to a short film about war seen from the point of view of little bunny rabbits.
Read some child friendly stories
This story “Where the Poppies now grow” follows a friendship before the war breaks out, during the war and then finally finishes in peace time. Try just sharing the pictures to begin with as the pictures alone explore war extremely well and allow children a way in to start to understand the past.
Explore Poppies and Remembrance through art and craft
There are lots and lots of easy craft activities for you and your child to explore the poppy theme. Whether it be sticking cupcake cases or printing with hands, fingerprints, bottle tops or apples or scrunching up red tissue paper you can spend time crafting and remembering together.
Look at old family photos
Using photographs with children is a great way of reflecting on their own families history. You can talk about what they can see, make comparisons on clothing or items in the photo and share stories about what life was like and growing up back then.
Lastly… here are a few photos of my Grandparents who all served their country during the 2nd World War and who, in my niece’s words, we will be thinking of today and remembering how special they were.
Thank you.
Lionel Adrian Basil Hack Flight Lieutenant
in the RAF
Douglas Frank Harrison
RAF
Eunice McKenzie Harrison
WRAF